This article is part of the UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis, covering The Hindu editorial – " The transformation of Koraput’s tribal food basket published on 21st February, by the best UPSC coaching in Kolkata.

Syllabus: UPSC General Studies (GS) Paper 2: Governance, Welfare Schemes

Despite various government schemes, Koraput continues to face severe undernutrition with high child stunting (43%) and anaemia among women (50%). To address this, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) introduced a community-led nutrition model (2013-2022), promoting nutrition-sensitive farming, dietary diversity and hygiene awareness. Through training programs and community champions, villagers improved agriculture, home gardens and access to government support, leading to better diets, increased crop variety and gender-inclusive decision-making. These efforts have empowered communities to work toward a self-sustained, hunger-free future.

Why is Koraput facing high undernutrition despite government schemes?

Koraput, a district in Odisha, is known for its beautiful landscapes and rich biodiversity. It is home to a predominantly tribal population. However, despite its natural wealth, the district faces severe poverty and undernutrition.

Many government schemes, such as direct feeding programs and livelihood initiatives, have been introduced to tackle the issue. Yet, undernutrition remains a serious concern. According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), 43% of children under five years are stunted, 33% are underweight and only 17% receive an adequate diet. Moreover, more than 50% of women in the district suffer from anaemia.

This situation highlights the urgent need for better nutrition, healthcare and awareness programs to improve the well-being of the people in Koraput.

How is the community-led nutrition model addressing malnutrition in Koraput?

Between 2013 and 2022, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) introduced a community-based nutrition literacy model to help tribal communities improve their diets with nutritious foods.

As most people in the region are small and marginal farmers practicing subsistence farming, the initiative encouraged a nutrition-sensitive farming approach. It also focused on sanitation, hygiene and Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices to improve overall health and well-being.

What role are awareness and capacity building playing in nutrition security?

The first step was to make the community aware of its nutritional status. This was done through:

• Measuring the height and weight of women, children and adolescents to check their nutritional levels.
• Collecting and sharing data about nutrition with the community.
• Holding discussions with villagers and selecting men and women from different caste groups for special training.

A residential training program was created to teach the community about:

• Balanced diet, dietary diversity and sanitation for better health.
• Nutrition-sensitive farming, including growing different crops, backyard poultry and fish farming.
• Social and cultural factors affecting nutrition security, such as caste, class and gender.

The training sessions were interactive and activity-based, including group discussions, role plays and knowledge analysis. The community's perception of dietary diversity initially revolved around a "dish count" rather than a "food group" approach. As one participant observed, “We never thought about having both dhal and vegetables in our daily diet. As long as one was present with rice, we were satisfied.”

How is collective action strengthening agricultural and dietary practices?

In traditional villages, social spaces follow a hierarchy, but the residential training encouraged collective decision-making and planning for:

• Growing nutritious crops in home gardens and on different types of land.
• Improving farming methods using seed treatment, vermicompost and organic fertilizers.
• Helping communities demand government entitlements for better support.

More than 200 men and women from 70+ villages were trained as "community champions", leading change in their villages. Over ten years, nearly 1,000 people received training in farming, animal husbandry and fish farming, creating a strong community resource base for nutrition security.

Visible transformations in agricultural practices of Koraput

The impact of these efforts was clearly seen in villages like Mothpera and Deragida in Boiparida block:

• More crop varieties were grown. Earlier, 71% of households grew only two to three crops, but by the project's end, 60% cultivated four to five varieties.
• Home gardens thrived. Initially, 90% of families-maintained gardens for five months, but later, over 50% had gardens for seven to nine months.
• Diets became more diverse, with people eating more pulses, leafy vegetables, tubers, fruits, poultry, fish and wild foods.

Community champions led the way:

• Landless people secured land for farming.
• Women reclaimed leased land for agriculture.
• Farmers used fallow paddy fields to grow pulses.
• Homestead spaces were turned into vegetable gardens.

Some families even started making biocompost for sustainable farming. Importantly, men and women began making agricultural decisions together, showing a positive change in gender roles and family dynamics.

How did community participation enhance nutrition governance?

Community champions worked closely with ASHA and Anganwadi workers to spread nutrition awareness.

For example, Sanya from Maligad village (name changed) shared, "I now give my daughter leafy vegetables, ripe fruits, dhal and eggs because she is anaemic and was recently discharged from the hospital."

The community also took an active role in monitoring government feeding programs under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). In Lecha village (name changed), where there was no Anganwadi centre, women champions organized a village meeting to demand one. Male champions took the issue to the block office, leading to the approval and construction of a new Anganwadi centre.

Additionally, the community revived village structures like the community grain bank and actively participated in Gram Sabha meetings to create hunger-free village plans.

What could be the long-term impact of Koraput’s nutrition interventions?

With their increased knowledge and strengthened collective power, villagers have set the wheels of change in motion. The transformation in Koraput’s villages demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives in securing health and nutrition. Through their persistent efforts these communities are steadily working towards a self-sustained and hunger-free future. 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.How does community participation enhance nutrition governance? Provide a case study to substantiate. 150 Words.

Q1. Why is Koraput still facing high undernutrition?

Despite government schemes, poverty, poor diet diversity and limited healthcare keep malnutrition high. 43% of children are stunted, 50% of women are anaemic (NFHS-5).

Q2. How is the community-led model tackling malnutrition?

The MSSRF initiative (2013-2022) promoted nutrition-sensitive farming, home gardens and hygiene awareness, improving diet diversity and health.

Q3. What role does training play in nutrition security?

Villagers learned about balanced diets, better farming and hygiene through community-led programs, shifting from basic meals to diverse food groups.

Q4. How has collective action improved agriculture and diets?

Community champions trained farmers in organic farming, home gardens and crop diversification leading to better food security and nutrition.

Q5. What’s the long-term impact of these interventions?

Koraput is moving towards self-sufficiency, with stronger community leadership, better diets and improved access to government support.